Ontario Unveils Full Scoring System for New OWPS Immigration Pathway: Everything You Need to Know
Alex Chen | Author
On July 20, 2026, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) released the complete scoring system for its three new permanent residence pathways. This is the first immigration stream under Ontario’s 2026 provincial nominee overhaul to have full eligibility criteria and scoring rules publicly defined — the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS).
Ontario retired all old provincial immigration pathways on May 30, 2026. On June 26, 2026, the province announced the full eligibility criteria for the three OWPS sub-pathways. Now, with the scoring system published on July 20, applicants have a complete picture of how the new system works.
OWPS Overview: 130 Points, Ranked by Score
The OWPS uses a points-based system where candidates can earn up to 130 points total. OINP will rank candidates by score and issue invitations to apply for provincial nomination to the highest-scoring applicants first.
To enter the pool, candidates must create an eligible profile in OINP’s online Expression of Interest (EOI) system. For the job offer pathways, the employer must initiate the EOI creation. Once selected by OINP, candidates receive an invitation to apply for provincial nomination.
A critical detail: OINP’s online EOI system is currently closed and is expected to reopen later this summer. Applicants should monitor the OINP website for the reopening announcement.
OWPS offers three sub-pathways:
TEER 0-3 Pathway: for higher-skilled occupations (management, professionals, and technical trades);
TEER 4-5 Pathway: for lower-skilled occupations (general labour and service work);
Self-Employed Physicians Pathway: for physicians eligible to bill through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
The 11 Scoring Criteria Explained
OWPS evaluates candidates across 11 distinct dimensions, each with specific point allocations. Below is a detailed breakdown of each criterion.
1. Work Region (Up to 15 points)
Ontario’s regions are scored to incentivize settlement outside the Greater Toronto Area:
Northern Ontario (15 points): Muskoka, Haliburton, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Manitoulin, Sudbury, Greater Sudbury, Timiskaming, Cochrane, Algoma, Thunder Bay, Rainy River, and Kenora;
Eastern Ontario (10 points): Frontenac, Hastings, Kawartha Lakes, Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Lennox and Addington, Northumberland, Ottawa, Peterborough, Prescott and Russell, Prince Edward, Renfrew, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry;
Central Ontario, outside GTA (10 points): Dufferin, Grey, Simcoe, Waterloo, and Wellington;
Southwestern Ontario (10 points): Brant, Bruce, Chatham-Kent, Elgin, Essex, Haldimand-Norfolk, Hamilton, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Niagara, Oxford, and Perth;
Outside Toronto, within GTA (5 points): Durham, Halton, Peel, and York;
Toronto (0 points): City of Toronto itself.
Northern Ontario leads at 15 points while Toronto scores zero, clearly reflecting the province’s strategy to steer immigration toward lower-density regions.
2. Occupation Skill Level (Up to 9 points)
The NOC TEER classification determines points for occupation skill level:
TEER 0 and 1 (9 points): senior management roles and university-level professional occupations;
TEER 2 and 3 (6 points): college-level occupations and skilled trades;
TEER 4 and 5 (0 points): general labour and service occupations.
Higher-skilled workers receive a significant advantage right from the occupation classification.
3. Compensation (Up to 15 points)
Hourly wage determines the compensation score:
$40/hour or more: 15 points;
$35-$39.99/hour: 12 points;
$30-$34.99/hour: 10 points;
$25-$29.99/hour: 8 points;
$20-$24.99/hour: 5 points;
Below $20/hour: 0 points.
For self-employed physician candidates, hourly wage is not scored; instead, they use an alternate Ontario Work Experience assessment method.
4. Occupational Category (Up to 10 points)
Scoring varies by occupational category, reflecting regional labour market needs:
Category 3 (10 points): most in-demand occupations;
Category 7 (8 points);
Category 2 (6 points);
Categories 0, 1, 4, 8, or 9 (4 points);
Categories 5 or 6 (2 points).
5. Ontario Work Experience (Up to 18 points)
For candidates already working at least six months in their job offer position:
More than 24 months in the job offer position: 18 points;
13-24 months: 15 points;
6-12 months: 12 points.
For other candidates (not yet in the job offer position):
Ontario work experience 24+ months: 12 points;
13-24 months: 9 points;
6-12 months: 6 points;
Under 6 months: 0 points.
Self-employed physicians use an alternative scoring method based on cumulative medical practice in Ontario, earning up to 18 points.
6. Canadian Income Tax History (Up to 8 points)
Based on the highest annual income earned in Canada within the past five years:
Annual income $70,000 or more: 8 points;
$50,000-$69,999: 6 points;
$30,000-$49,999: 4 points;
Below $30,000: 0 points.
7. Level of Education (Up to 10 points)
Highest educational achievement determines the education score:
Doctorate: 10 points;
Degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or optometry: 10 points;
Master’s degree: 8 points;
University certificate or diploma above bachelor’s level: 6 points;
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent: 6 points;
Ontario College Graduate Certificate: 5 points;
University certificate or diploma below bachelor’s level: 5 points;
College, CEGEP, or other non-university certificate or diploma: 5 points;
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 5 points;
Lower than college or trade certificate: 0 points.
8. Canadian Educational Credentials (Up to 10 points)
Number of post-secondary Canadian credentials earned:
Two or more: 10 points;
One: 5 points;
None: 0 points.
To count, a credential must be from an eligible Canadian post-secondary institution and from a program taking at least one year of full-time study. OINP has published a separate list of eligible Ontario and Canadian post-secondary institutions.
9. Highest Official Language Proficiency (Up to 15 points)
Based on the minimum CLB score across all four language abilities in English or French:
CLB 9 or above: 15 points;
CLB 8: 12 points;
CLB 7: 8 points;
CLB 6: 4 points;
CLB 5 or below: 0 points.
10. Official Language Bilingualism (Up to 10 points)
Number of official languages where the candidate achieves a minimum CLB 6 across all four abilities:
Both languages: 10 points;
One language: 5 points.
11. Temporary Resident Status (Up to 10 points)
Current immigration status in Canada:
Work permit holder: 10 points;
Study permit holder: 5 points;
Neither: 0 points.
This criterion provides a meaningful advantage to candidates already in Canada on a work permit, particularly those who have been working in the country for some time.
OWPS Application Process
The pathway from Expression of Interest to permanent residence follows six steps:
Step 1: Create an eligible profile in the OINP online EOI system. For job offer pathways, the employer must initiate the EOI;
Step 2: Be selected by OINP and receive an invitation to apply for provincial nomination;
Step 3: Submit a complete application for provincial nomination to OINP;
Step 4: Receive a provincial nomination from OINP;
Step 5: Apply to the federal government for permanent residence as a provincial nominee;
Step 6: Receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) from the federal government and land as a permanent resident.
Ontario’s 2026 Immigration Overhaul: The Full Picture
OWPS is the only new provincial stream for which Ontario has announced full eligibility criteria and scoring rules as of the 2026 overhaul.
Three additional provincial immigration streams have been announced but not yet launched:
Priority Healthcare Stream: for workers in healthcare occupations. This stream is not expected to require a job offer to qualify.
Entrepreneur Stream: for foreign nationals with entrepreneurial experience and investment capital.
Exceptional Talent Stream: for foreign nationals demonstrating excellence in literary, creative and performing arts, academic research, or scientific innovation.
As of July 20, 2026, no launch date has been announced for any of these three additional streams.
The OWPS scoring criteria were published by OINP on its website on July 20, 2026. The province also published a list of eligible Ontario and Canadian postsecondary institutions for the education requirements and education scoring.
Sources: OINP website (July 20, 2026); Cicnews.com (July 21, 2026)